Bites & Stings

Antivenom is a biological product that is created to treat the venomous bites and stings of poisonous animals. Though snake antivenom is the most famous, antivenom has also been produced to...

Both dogs and humans can be plagued by the parasites that normally infect birds. Although they are often called lice, these parasites are actually mites. Bird mites are species-specific, that is,...

Many adults question whether insect repellents are safe for children. According to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the answer is generally in favor of repellents. Certain...

According to Dr. Harris Steinman, an allergy expert from South Africa, "Russian thistle can cause dermatitis in persons who come into direct contact with it. The dermatitis appears to be due only...

Jellyfish belong to the phylum Cnidaria, a structurally simple group of marine animals. Easily identified by a layer of mesoglea or "middle jelly," jellyfish reproduce sexually and are...

Bats and rabies are synonymous with one another, though only 5 percent of bats tested for rabies actually have the disease, states the Organization for Bat Conservation. Bats are unfairly...

Suffering the mild pain and skin irritation caused by a wasp sting is not fun for anyone. For those allergic to wasp stings, however, the experience can be much more serious.

Lice are parasitic blood-feeders, which means they need the blood of a mammal to survive. Because lice infest animals and humans, and not spaces, a control program will involve eliminating the...

Ticks are tiny arthropods that can carry health hazards such as Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis, also known as anaplasmosis. It takes an infected tick between 36 to 48 hours to attach and transmit a...

During spring and summer, many people spend their outdoor time fighting off mosquitoes. In order to ward these creatures off, we are often told to wear light colored clothing as opposed to dark...

Dengue fever is a viral infection predominately found in tropical areas. The virus is spread by mosquitos and often causes temporary but severe discomfort along with itchy skin rashes.

Dog bites require immediate care and treatment. Dogs have powerful jaws--large-sized dogs can often exert more than 450 lbs. of pressure per square inch. A dog's mouth and saliva is filled with...

With the threat of the West Nile Virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, it's important to protect yourself from those tiny bloodsuckers. There are plenty of repellents on the market you can buy....

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or, simply, the CDC), ticks are vectors for pathogens such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain fever in humans, both of which can have...

If you have been bitten by a black widow spider, it is going to be painful. This spider produces a neurotoxin protein that can damage your nervous system. Anti-venom is given to fight off the...

Ticks and chiggers are easily confused. Both bite humans and leave itchy marks behind, but chiggers are the larvae of harvest mites and unrelated to ticks. The two types of arthropod differ in...

Ticks and chiggers are both biting insects that live in tall grasses. However, these bugs are very different and it is important to know how to deal with them if you are bitten.

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that can invade your home and become a source of misery for its occupants, especially those who have allergies. People are not allergic to the insects...

Mites are tiny, but you can usually spot them with the unaided eye. They may look like insects, but they actually belong to the same family as ticks and spiders. Many species of mites exist,...

A tapeworm is an intestinal parasite. You can get a tapeworm infection by eating contaminated food products or drinking water that has been contaminated with tapeworm eggs and larvae. Identifying...

Wasps are insects in the hymenoptera family, which includes other stinging insects, such as bees and fire ants. They are known for their sting, which rivals that of the honey bee in intensity....

Rabies, a virus, affects unvaccinated dogs and cats as well as foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats. The disease passes to a new host via bites, licks or scratches from an infected animal. Rabies can...

Individuals who are highly sensitive to the venom in bee stings may experience reactions from mild to life threatening. More people die from bee stings annually than from snake bites. The body's...

If you live in mostly concrete city or on a farm in an area where most of the trees have given way to cultivated crops, your experience with poisonous plants and animals likely is minimal. But if...

Repellents provide protection from insect-borne disease. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes the active ingredients in repellents as biopesticides (natural) or conventional...

Water moccasin bites can cause severe tissue damage. If not treated immediately, the bites become painful and can cause tissue to die. Bites that go untreated for longer than 12 hours or are...

Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. It is true that they are found in beds, but also in sleeping bags, on blankets, clothing, and household...